Comparison of out of hours care provided by patients' own general practitioners and commercial deputising services: a randomised controlled trial. II: The outcome of care.

摘要: OBJECTIVE: To compare the process of out hours care provided by general practitioners from patients' own practices and commercial deputising services. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Four urban areas in Manchester, Salford, Stockport, Leicester. SUBJECTS: 2152 patients who requested care, 49 practice doctors 183 (61% local principals) responded to those requests. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Response call, time visit, prescribing, hospital admissions. RESULTS: 1046 calls were dealt with 1106 doctors. Practice more likely give telephone advice (20.2% v 0.72% calls) visit quickly than (median delay 35 minutes 52 minutes). less issue a prescription (56.1% 63.2% patients) or prescribe an antibiotic (43.7% 61.3% prescriptions issued) genetic drugs (58.4% 32.1% prescribed), cheaper (mean cost per pounds 3.28 5.04), predefined formulary (49.8% 41.1% prescribed). There was no significant difference number CONCLUSIONS: By contrast doctors, providing readily advice, take longer at home, have patterns prescribing that may be discriminating.